This challenging year is finally done, and we can look ahead to the bright 2022. You can take a detailed look in our 2021 numbers in this a dedicated article. We can only wish your phone to never run out of battery life in the most important moments and may it allow you to capture many great memories. Let’s hope the screens emit more happy photos and the speakers blast only good tunes. The future is bright, so here’s to 2022!

COLOMBO (News 1st); Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa is to engage in a visit to India from 10th January to 12th January, The Hindu reports. Accordingly, Minister Basil Rajapaksa would lead a delegation to the ‘Vibrant Gujarat’ summit to be held from January 10 to 12, and is likely to hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during this visit, his second to India in about a month. Rajapaksa was previously in New Delhi from November 30th to December 2nd. Despite officials indicating that he was scheduled to call on the Indian Prime Minister Modi, the meeting did not take place, reportedly due to scheduling issues. He, however, held talks with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

The Excise Department says it would introduce a new protective sticker to be mandatorily displayed on locally-manufactured liquor bottles and cans. The decision was taken to prevent the sale of illicit liquor in the local market and smuggling of foreign liquor bottles into the country, and to collect all due taxes payable to the Treasury through the sale of local and foreign liquor. A grace period of three months has been given to clear the existing stocks of liquor bottles and cans sold in the market without the protective sticker, the Excise Department’s Spokesperson Kapila Kumarasinghe said. It is expected that this protective sticker would be displayed on all liquor bottles and cans sold island-wide by April 01, 2022, he added. This mandatory protective sticker was implemented on all imported liquor nearly a year ago.

When contacted by The Morning yesterday (30), Trade Ministry Secretary Bhadranie Jayawardhana said: “This is currently being discussed. The Trade Ministry and the High Commissions of the relevant countries are holding discussions. “Those countries also buy Sri Lankan goods under credit facilities. Claiming that the Government is currently in talks with India to buy fuel and food on credit, Wickremesinghe therefore said that those talks should be concluded and the relevant agreements finalised. He said that if there would be any such shortage of food, it would be necessary to resort to a food exchange system.

Date Name of engagement Attended 08/01/21 Held a meeting with The President of the French Republic Phone 11/01/21 Attended meeting of the Great Green Wall Investment Forum Video link 11/01/21 Attended meeting of the One Planet Summit Video link 12/01/21 Held a Meeting with Mr. António Guterres (Secretary-General of the United Nations) Phone 15/01/21 Held a meeting for the Sustainable Markets Initiative Video link 15/01/21 Held a meeting with Mrs. Amina Mohammed (Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations) Phone 18/01/21 Attended a Philharmonia Concert soirée Video link 20/01/21 Held a meeting with General Sir John Lorimer (Colonel Commandant, The Parachute Regiment Phone 20/01/21 Held a meeting for the Sustainable Markets Initiative Video link 21/01/21 Held a meeting for the Sustainable Markets Initiative Video link 26/01/21 Held a meeting with Dr. Michael Cantlay (Chairman, NatureScot) and Ms. Francesca Osowska (Chief Executive) Video link 28/01/21 Held a meeting for the Sustainable Markets Initiative Video link 02/02/21 Held a meeting for The Prince's Foundation Video link 02/02/21 Held a meeting for the Sustainable Markets Initiative Video link 03/02/21 Held a meeting with representatives from the Crown Estate Phone 11/02/21 Held a meeting with Mr. Kyriakos Mitsotakis (Prime Minister of the Hellenic Republic) Phone 11/02/21 Held a meeting for the Sustainable Markets Initiative Video link 12/02/21 Held a meeting for The Prince's Trust Video link 16/02/21 Held a meeting with Brigadier Phillip Prosser (Commander 101 Logistic Brigade) Phone 17/02/21 Visited Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, Mindelsohn Way, Birmingham In person 17/02/21 Held a meeting for the Sustainable Markets Initiative Video link 19/02/21 Held a meeting with representatives from Historic Royal Palaces Video link 22/02/21 Held a meeting for the National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty Phone 22/02/21 Held a meeting for the Sustainable Markets Initiative Video link 26/02/21 Held a meeting with the Archbishop of Canterbury Phone 03/03/21 Held a meeting with representatives of Business in the Community Phone 04/03/21 Held a meeting for the Sustainable Markets Initiative Video link 08/03/21 Held a meeting with representatives from the Duchy of Lancaster Phone 08/03/21 Held a meeting with Secretary John Kerry (United States Special Presidential Envoy for Climate) In person 09/03/21 Visited Jesus House, London In person 09/03/21 Held a meeting with representatives from In Kind Direct In person 09/03/21 Visited NHS England London, Skipton House In person 10/03/21 Meeting of Royal Collection Trust trustees Video link 11/03/21 Held a meeting with representatives of Business in the Community Phone 12/03/21 Held a meeting for the Sustainable Markets Initiative Video link 16/03/21 Received General Sir Mark Carleton-Smith (Chief of the General Staff) In person 16/03/21 Visited Finsbury Park Mosque vaccination centre In person 16/03/21 Held a meeting for the Sustainable Markets Initiative Video link 22/03/21 Held a meeting with Mrs. Minette Batters (President, National Farmers' Union) Phone 22/03/21 Met with Founder Director of University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership In person 23/03/21 Held a meeting with The President of the Republic of Ghana Phone 24/03/21 Arrived at Athens International Airport and were received by Her Majesty's Ambassador to the Hellenic Republic In person 24/03/21 Visited the National Art Gallery of Greece, Alexandros Soutzos Museum In person 24/03/21 Attended a dinner given by the President of the Hellenic Republic and Mr. Pavlos Kotsonis In person 25/03/21 Laid wreaths at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Syntagma Square, Athens In person 25/03/21 Attended a parade in Syntagma Square to mark the Two Hundredth Anniversary of the Independence of Greece In person 25/03/21 Visited the President of the Hellenic Republic and Mr. Pavlos Kotsonis at the Presidential Mansion In person 25/03/21 Visited the Presidential Guard Barracks, Irodou Attikou In person 25/03/21 Held a meeting with Mr. Kyriakos Mitsotakis (Prime Minister of the Hellenic Republic) at the Maximos Mansion In person 25/03/21 Awarded the Gold Medal of Athens at Athens City Hall before meeting senior business leaders to discuss the 'Terra Carta' In person 25/03/21 Received representatives from the British School at Athens at the Residence of Her Majesty's Ambassador In person 30/03/21 Received Mr. Richard Moore upon assuming his appointment as Chief of the Secret Intelligence Service In person 30/03/21 Visited Kamsons Pharmacy Warehouse, Westminster House In person 07/04/21 Held a meeting with Mr. Brian Moynihan (Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Bank of America) Phone 07/04/21 Visited the London Islamic Cultural Society and Mosque, London In person 15/04/21 Held a meeting with leaders of the following African Commonwealth countries Video link 16/04/21 Held a meeting with Prime Minister Boris Johnson Phone 23/04/21

Astronomers have discovered dozens of previously unknown exoplanets orbiting distant stars, including hot Jupiter planets and 'Super Earths'. GJ 367 b is the only known planet orbiting its parent star, but the astronomers think there are more to be discovered in this particular system. TOI-2109b: 'Ultrahot Jupiter' exoplanetAn 'ultrahot Jupiter' exoplanet has been discovered with blistering surface temperatures of 6,000°F. Planets 'b', 'c' and 'd' have masses between those of Earth and Neptune with orbits lasting 11.6, 27.6 and 107.6 days, respectively. Planets 'b', 'c' and the newly-discovered 'd' have masses between those of Earth and Neptune with orbits lasting 11.6, 27.6 and 107.6 days, respectively.

‘People need something that can be inconspicuous so they don’t have to say: “Hey, I suffer from anxiety.” ’But does it work? ‘These methods may bring temporary relief for some, but they won’t address the root causes of anxiety,’ cautions Dr Westley. 5/10TRANQUIL TRINKETThe Shift Necklace, £64, komusodesign.comTanith explained that The Shift Necklace (pictured) was inspired by 17th-century Japanese monks who would blow into bamboo flutes for tranquillityWhen we get anxious, our brains go into a state of primal flight or fight. To counteract that, this necklace comes with a two-inch stainless steel tube that looks like a whistle. Indeed, it boldly claims to confer a range of benefits, including decreasing stress hormones, blood pressure and slowing your heartbeat.

The Minister of Justice has given directives to revoke the special gazette notification on the Bill to prohibit any form of obscene publications. The decision was taken after taking into account the concerns raised by various parties including civil society organizations, Secretary to the Justice Ministry M.M.P.K Mayadunne said. In a statement, he noted that the Justice Ministry brought forth the relevant Bill with the aim of ensuring the welfare of minors and the privacy of women who are subject to harassment. However, the civil society groups have pointed out that the Bill in question, published on December 24, could hamper the publication rights of creative artists. Accordingly, Justice Minister Ali Sabry, ordering the nullification of the gazette notification, has called for resubmission of an amended Bill to the Cabinet of Ministers after obtaining the suggestions of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) and civil society groups.

The general public is hesitant to obtain the booster dose of Covid-19 vaccine due to the misinformation spread by certain people, says the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA). Its secretary Dr. Senal Fernando said most people are turning down the booster dose due to such false propaganda. “We have seen a decrease in the interest of the general public in receiving the third dose [of Covid-19 vaccine],” he added. There is no shortage of vaccines, Dr. Fernando assured, noting that the Health Ministry and relevant authorities are carrying on the national inoculation program properly. He went on to warn of exacerbated infection among those who have not taken the booster dose in March or April next year.

The Supreme Court will resume hearing the Fundamental Rights petitions challenging the Yugadanavi-related deals in the second week of January. The President resorted to a tactical move in the wake of Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake tabling the hither to secret Yugadanavi agreement. Whatever the outcome of the Yugadanavi case, it’ll deliver a debilitating setback to the ruling coalition, struggling on several fronts. The SLFPer strongly rejected the stand taken by Chief Government Whip Johnston Fernando as regards the Yugadanavi agreement. Anidda interviewer should have sought an explanation from lawmaker Jayasekera over the SLFP not being part of the real opposition to the Yugadanavi deal.

Changes, not resolutionsWhy do our resolutions always start at a zenith or peak and then slowly crash and disintegrate after a short while? I believe it starts with the word itself: resolutions. These are changes we can set for ourselves with some ease and not mind-boggling resolutions with impractical benchmarks. Sometimes it’s hard to be happy for others when things don’t seem to be going too well for ourselves. That later time may not come, or if it does it may pose many other challenges that life throws our way at that juncture.

Strategy games and the PC are made for each other, the genre taking up quite a few slots on our list of the best PC games. These are a few of our favorite strategy games that you can play for free on the PC today. We’re including promising Early Access titles, strategy titles beyond the usual war strategy games, and more. But if you can get this working on your PC, you’ll be able to see where RTS games first began. Still, the Strategy genre tag alone contains a whopping 2,000 games, and most of them are up for grabs for free download.

BY Buddhika SamaraweeraEmphasising that they would not accept a revision in bus fares by 7.5% or 10%, the All Ceylon Private Bus Owners’ Association (ACPBOA) has demanded that bus fares be revised at least by 20%, taking into account the prevailing fuel prices. We say that if the diesel subsidy cannot be given, the minimum bus fare should be revised to Rs. Also, the total bus fare should be increased by 20%.”Following the Government’s decision to increase fuel prices with effect from 21 December, the Lanka Private Bus Owners’ Association (LPBOA) last week stated that bus fares would definitely have to be increased in line with the revised fuel prices. “We will allow a hike in bus fares under the condition that it is reduced when the fuel prices go down and the restrictions on the passenger capacity are lifted. “It is unfortunate that the Government has hiked fuel prices without developing the public transportation services.

Sri Lanka’s premier connectivity provider, Dialog Axiata PLC, was the Telecommunication Partner for the 2021 edition of the Lanka Premier League (LPL). Five franchise teams, Colombo Stars, Dambulla Giants, Galle Gladiators, Jaffna Kings, and Kandy Warriors battled it out across 24 leagues and knockout matches in the 2021 tourney which commenced on 05th December. The LPL in its second season has proven that Sri Lanka has the talent to play with and against the best players in the world,” Shammi Silva, President – SLC said. With the support of all our stakeholders, we have been able to deliver an outstanding season of LPL. “Cricket is a game that cuts through all boundaries in Sri Lanka and the wonderful audience that has come to witness the grand finale here today is testament to that.”

NASA’s DART spacecraft has an unusual mission — to crash into an asteroid, in order to test whether this would be an effective planetary defense concept if an asteroid were to threaten Earth. NASA/Johns Hopkins APLThe images were captured using the DRACO camera (standing for Didymos Reconnaissance and Asteroid Camera for Optical navigation), a high-resolution camera that is the only instrument on board the DART craft. Although it isn’t its primary purpose, DRACO can and will be used to send images back to Earth as well. These two recently released images show that the camera is working as expected, and should be able to send back more images as the mission progresses. DART is currently on its way through the solar system as is scheduled to impact asteroid Didymos on September 26, 2022.